POST COUPLER

Abstract

A coupler for coupling two posts end-to-end has ninety degree flanges and two reverse wrap ends. The coupler is slid one-half way over the ends of one formed post, comprising two flanges, with the reverse wrap holding the post flanges. Another flanged post is inserted into the coupler to engage the end of the first post, the coupler holding the posts end-to-end. An alternate embodiment coupler is disclosed.

Description

Benefit of the filing date of Jan. 30, 2004 of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/650,935 is claimed. That application is incorporated herein in the entirety by this express reference. This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/044,689, filed Jan. 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,313, issued on Nov. 19, 2013. Both applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by this express reference.

This invention relates to post couplers and in particular to couplers for coupling together the ends of two posts vertically oriented with respect each other, the lower end of an upper post resting on the upper end of a lower post in vertical orientation.

Corner posts used, for example, in shelving are made from any suitable material, such as steel, and are typically formed of relatively thin sheet metal with two flanges disposed in an angular configuration, such that one flange of the post is oriented generally at ninety degrees to the other flange. These flanges may be either of a single layer of post material or may comprise two layers bent back on themselves for a somewhat thicker or more rigid post, than a post made from single layer flanges of the same material, for example.

It is desired to provide posts in certain varied lengths to satisfy varied needs. A particular application may require a corner post of a height in excess of a standard length, requiring one post to be set onto another for the overall length desired. Accordingly, it is desired to provide a way to couple the ends of two posts together to form a unitary structure with one post vertically oriented on top of another.

Another objective of the invention has been to provide an improved simple post coupler easily fitted to respective ends of two posts for coupling said ends together to form a unitary post.

To these ends, one preferred embodiment of a post coupler according to the invention comprises a coupler having two flanges disposed generally at 90 degrees to each other, or at approximately the same angle as the flanges of the angular formed corner posts with which the coupler will be used. The flanges of the couple each have turned back a reverse fold edges or return flanges disposed along one side of the respective flanges, with a gap therebetween.

In use, the coupler is slid over the flanges of one post to be coupled, preferably to about one-half the coupler length. The other post is slid into the coupler so the reverse fold flanges of the coupler capture the edges of the respective post flanges, coupling the two posts together, end to end. The coupling thus facilitates assembly of a unitary post, longer in length than the two original posts, and highly useful in a wide variety of applications, such as in shelving, enclosures and other environments.

Details on the coupler serve to frictionally engage one or both post ends to secure the coupler in longitudinal position with respect to the longitudinal extent of one or both posts.

The coupler may be apertures or holes for receiving fasteners through the shelf or other handling holes of the posts in order to fasten the couplers onto the posts and strengthen the coupled joint.

In an alternative embodiment, the post flanges are formed with return flanges and the couple is preferably of single layer sheet metal material. The coupler is inserted into the gaps formed by the return flanges of the post with its major flanges, and with an end extending therefrom for disposition within the end of complimentary post.

Detents for positioning and apertures for optional fasteners can also be provided in this alternate coupler.

The post couplers provide simple efficient coupling joints at the complimentary ends of two posts to provide a unitary post of desired length.

These and other objects and advantages will become even more readily apparent from the following detailed description and from the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the coupler invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is an end view, the same as in FIG. 2, with further reference numerals for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developed coupler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating orientation of the coupler of FIG. 1 with two posts;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a unitary post provided by the coupler of FIG. 1 coupling the two posts of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are views of an alternate coupler according to the invention analogous to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the alternate coupler of FIG. 7 analogous to FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the alternate coupler in use, facilitating provision of a unitary post provided by the coupler of FIGS. 6-8 coupling the two posts of FIG. 9.

The present invention contemplates two different embodiments for coupling such posts together. In a first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5), a coupler 10 is provided for a formed post with segments P₁ and P₂, each segment having two flanges 20a, 20b and 21a, 21b, respectively, essentially oriented at ninety degrees (shown) or some other useful angle with respect to each other. To this end, a coupler 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in its completed configuration.

The coupler 10 has two flanges 11, 12 oriented at ninety degrees (shown) with respect to each other or at some other useful angle consistent with the orientation of post flanges. Coupler 10 further includes reverse bend flanges 13, 14 respectively, reverse folded back parallel along the respective flanges, 11, 12 as shown in the FIGS. 1, 2 and 2a and with a gap “G₁” therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2a, flange 11 has an inner surface 70 and an outer surface 72 and flange 12 has an inner surface 74 and an outer surface 76. The inner surfaces 70 and 74, of flanges 11 and 12 respectively, define an included angle 78 therebetween. The included angle 78 can be ninety degrees or some other useful angle consistent with the orientation of the post flanges. The reverse bend flange 13 extends away from flange 11 and is disposed proximate the outer surface 72 of flange 11. Similarly, the reverse bend flange 14 extends away from flange 12 and is disposed proximate the outer surface 76 of flange 12.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the use of the coupler 10. In FIG. 4, the upper end 20 of a lower post P₁ is oriented vertically and the coupler 10 is tapped down onto the upper end 20, approximately half its length, that is the vertical length of the coupler 10, so one end of the coupler operatively engages one post. Thereafter, the lower end 21 of an upper post P₂ is tapped into the coupler 10 until the lower end 21 of the upper post rests on the upper end 20 of the lower post P₁. Another end of the coupler operatively engages the other post at juncture 22. In this configuration, the flaps or flanges 13, 14 at the coupler ends, wrap around the ends of the upper and lower post ends 20, 21 and secure the posts P₁ and P₂ against lateral movement with respect to each other, forming a unitary post.

One or more holes 15 are optionally provided in coupler 10. Fasteners (not shown) are extended through these holes 15 and may be tightened to increase the strength, rigidity and integrity of the unitary post formed of coupled posts P₁, P₂. Where the posts P₁, P₂ are provided with slots “S1” or other apertures (as shown in FIGS. 4-5), the holes 15 are preferably provided in coupler 10 so as to index with such slots to facilitate fastener application.

In addition, one or more detents 16 extending from a surface of coupler 10 for frictionally engaging the respective posts P₁, P₂ to hold the coupler 10 relative to them, respectively. Four additional shallower detents 18 may also be incorporated on opposite sides of the detents 16. These additional detents 18 could be used to also enhance engagement with the post segments P₁, P₂, but their shallower extension facilitates initial joining of the coupler 10 to a post segment.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6-10. In FIG. 6, a coupler 30 has two flanges 31, 32 oriented approximately at ninety degrees (shown) with respect to each other, or at some other useful angle relative to the angle of the post flanges with which it will be used.

Detents at 35 and 36, respectively, are slight offsets, depressions or upsets formed in the material of the coupler 30 and extending from its major surface for the purpose of securing the coupler within the posts as will be described.

Looking now at FIGS. 9 and 10, a coupler 30 is utilized to couple two angularly formed posts P₃, P₄ together. Posts P₃, P₄ each include two flanges 42, 43 and two additional flanges, 44, 45, respectively reverse bent from flanges 42 and 43 to form a formed or structural post. A gap G₂ is formed between the respective reverse and major flanges.

It will be seen in FIG. 9 that the coupler 30 can be inserted into the upper end 40 of post P₃ with the flanges 31, 32 of the coupler 30 residing respectively between the parallel flange elements 42, 44 on one side of the post P₃ and parallel flange elements 43, 45 on the other side. In this condition, the coupler 30 is tapped down into the post P₃, about half the length of coupler 30. An upper post P₄ is then slid over the coupler 30 so that the lower end 41 of the post P₄ adjoins the upper end 42 of the post P₃at the juncture 49 (FIG. 10). See the coupler 30 shown in the dotted lines of FIG. 10.

In this manner, the post P₃ and P₄ are held together, end-to-end, in vertical orientation with the dimples, detents or upsets 35, 36 in any suitable location in the middle of and/or at both upper and lower ends of the coupler 30, providing friction for holding the coupler 30 within the respective post flange elements of the respective posts P₃ and P₄.

Like in the first embodiment, it will be appreciated that each of the posts P₃, P₄ include a plurality of slots, such as keyhole slots “S₂” in FIGS. 9 and 10. These slots can be used, for example, for mounting brackets, shelving or other accessories on the upright post as may be desired.

Moreover, the coupler 30 has two respective ends 50, 60. Each end is tapered, as at end 50 with tapered edges 51, 52 and at end 60 with tapered edges 61, 62, to facilitate insertion of the coupler into the gaps defined by the respective flanges of the respective posts, and thus forming a unitary post.

These and other modifications and embodiments will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1-4. (canceled)

5. A post coupler for coupling together ends of two angular formed posts, each having two post flanges disposed at an angle to each other and each flange having reverse bend flanges along edges thereof defining a gap between its flange and its respective reverse bend flange, said reverse bent flanges directed inwardly with respect to the included angle of the flanges of the post, said coupler comprising:

two coupler flanges oriented at an angle with respect to each other at approximately the same angle as the post flanges to each other;

said coupler being insertable into said gaps at ends of two respective posts for coupling two posts together; and

the coupler being inserted within the reverse bent flanges respectively, with the two posts inserted over and capturing the coupler for securing the lower end of an upper post to the upper end of the lower post.

6. A coupler as in claim 5 wherein said coupler has two opposed ends, each of said ends comprising tapered edges for facilitating insertion into said gaps.

7. A coupler as in claim 5 including apertures indexible with apertures of said posts.

8. A coupler as in claim 5 including at least one detent in one of said coupler flanges for securing said coupler in a position in a post.

9. A coupler as in claim 5 wherein said coupler has two respective ends, one end disposed in said gaps of one post and another end in said gaps of another post, coupling said posts together.

10. A unitary post comprising:

a first angularly formed post having at least two flanges disposed at an angle to each other;

a second angularly formed post having at least two flanges disposed at an angle to each other;

a coupler;

said coupler comprising at least two flanges disposed at an angle to each other;

said coupler having first and second ends;

flanges of a first end of said coupler operatively engaging the flanges of said first post;

flanges at a second end of said coupler operative engaging the flanges of said second post;

said coupler coupling said first and second posts in a unitary post.

11. In a shelving unit, at least two angularly formed vertically oriented aligned posts, each having two post flanges disposed at an angle to each other with each post flange having a thickness and an elongated edge, an end of one post proximate an end of another post, and a post coupler for coupling together ends of said posts, wherein said coupler comprises:

a pair of connected coupler flanges, each coupler flange having an interior surface defining an included angle with respect to the interior surface of the other coupler flange, and each coupler flange having an outside surface;

each one of said coupler flanges having a respective additional flange extending from and along end positions of said coupler flanges;

each said respective additional flange comprising a reverse bend flange extending alongside the respective coupler flange from which the respective reverse bend flange is extended and from proximate but short of one end of a coupler flange to proximate but short of another end thereof, the outside surface of the respective coupler flange facing the respective reverse bend flange;

a gap defined by and between each said respective reverse bend flange and said outside surface of the respective coupler flange from which the reverse bend flange extends, said gap having a width approximately equal to said thickness of a single post flange, and less than twice the thickness of said single post flange and being sized to accept one of the flanges of a single one of the two angularly formed posts therein, wherein one end of the coupler is configured to receive one of the two angularly formed posts and the other end of the coupler is configured to receive the other one of the angularly formed posts to permit the two posts to be secured in an abutting, end-to-end vertically oriented relationship with one another; and

said first and second end portions of said coupler flanges engaging respective flanges of said posts, with said reverse bend flanges of the coupler extending outwardly around edges of respective flanges of said two posts.

12. In a shelving unit having:

a vertical post comprising at least two post members disposed end-to end;

a post connector for holding said ends together;

said post members having ends defining post flanges with inwardly facing surfaces at a first angle to each other and outer surfaces and having elongated edges;

said post connector having two connector flanges disposed at a second angle to each other such that said connector flanges are parallel to said post flanges;

reverse bend flanges on said post connector wrapped around edges of said post members and onto said outer surfaces of said post member flanges, respectively;

said post members having a plurality of apertures therealong for receiving shelf support means;

said post connector having a plurality of apertures therealong, wherein;

post connector apertures aligning with apertures of said post members when said post members are in abutting vertical orientation and respective abutting ends of said post members are each held together by portions of said post connector.

13. A unit as in claim 12 further including a post member engaging detent on said post connector, said detent engaging an outer surface of an adjacent post flange.

14. A coupler for coupling two post sections together to form a single composite post of both post sections, each post section comprising a pair of post flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween and each post flange having an outer edge, said coupler comprising:

two coupler flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween, each such flange having extended end portions comprising end portions of said coupler proximate said bend between said two coupler flanges and extending longitudinally from opposite ends of said coupler beyond other second end portions of said coupler flanges oriented proximate outer edge portions thereof,

said extended end portions defining coupler ends;

a reverse bend flange connected to each coupler flange along said outer edges thereof and extending therealong to said second end portions of said coupler flanges, terminating short of said first end portions of said coupler flanges and said coupler ends.

15. A coupler for coupling two post sections, of the same angular configuration, together to form a single composite post of both post sections, each post section comprising a pair of post flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween and each post flange having an outer edge, said coupler comprising:

two coupler flanges intersecting at a bend therebetween, each such flange having extended end portions comprising end portions of said coupler proximate said bend between said two coupler flanges and extending longitudinally from opposite ends of said coupler beyond other second end portions of said coupler flanges oriented proximate outer edge portions thereof,

said extended end portions defining coupler ends;

a reverse bend flange connected to each coupler flange along said outer edges thereof and extending therealong to said second end portions of second coupler flanges, terminating short of said first end portions of said coupler flanges and said coupler ends,

said reverse bend flanges for wrapping around outer edges of post flanges of both post sections; and

at least one detent in each reverse bend flange extending into a gap between a respective said reverse bend flange and a respective coupler flange for engaging a post section when a post section is inserted between said reverse bend flange and said coupler flange.